Other headlines said much the same thing. No provision in international, US statute, or constitutional law permits this. What reports omitted matters more than what they said.

Washington recognized an illegitimate opposition terrorist coalition as “the legitimate representative” of the Syrian people. It can’t be “legitimate” if it’s illegitimate.

Its members are death squad killers. They’re imported from other countries. They commit daily atrocities. They’re war criminals. Supporting them reveals America’s moral bankruptcy. Doing so adds more war crimes to Obama’s resume.

They include beheadings, murdering bound prisoners, slaughtering women and children, and shooting infants while they sleep. Pro-Assad loyalists are targeted.

Der Spiegel reported “Homs burial brigade” atrocities. An insurgent “executioner” said he and comrades “kill in the name of the Syrian revolution. They leave torture (to) the so-called interrogation brigade….”

“They do the ugly work.” He believes in violence, he explained. He “cut the throats of four men.” He machine-gunned many more.

Women and children aren’t spared. Der Spiegel’s “executioner” article explained. Independent journalists risk their lives on the ground to report similar accounts of ghastly crimes of war and against humanity.

“We’ve made a decision that the Syrian opposition coalition is now inclusive enough, is reflective and representative enough of the Syrian population, that we consider them the legitimate representative of the Syrian people in opposition to the Assad regime,” he said.

It’s shocking that anyone would make this outrageous claim, let alone a world leader. It’s appalling that media scoundrels don’t denounce him. It reflects their illegitimacy. They regurgitate official propaganda instead of doing their job.

On November 11, the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SNCROF or SNC 2.0) was established in Doha, Qatar.

Russia denounced their December 11 recognition. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “America’s recognition of the National Coalition as Syria’s legitimate authority violates the (June) Geneva (agreement). It is an unexpected turn.”

The Geneva Agreement Text “agreed on guidelines and principles for a political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.”

It agreed to adhere fully with international law provisions.

It called for “a Syrian-led political process, avoiding further bloodshed and violence, and ensuring safety, stability and calm.”

It said, ending conflict depends on establishing “a transitional governing body” with “full executive powers. It could include members of the present government and the opposition and other groups and shall be formed on the basis of mutual consent.”

Syrians (alone) must “determine the future of the country.” All groups and segments of society must be able “to participate in a National Dialogue.” Outcomes achieved “must be implemented.”

“The result of the constitutional drafting would be subject to popular approval.”

Once established, “free and fair multi-party elections” must be held. Women must be “represented in all aspects of the transition.”

All sides must comply. Vulnerable groups must be protected. Humanitarian issues must be addressed. Order must be restored. Efforts must commit to “Accountability and National Reconciliation.”

Syrians must “come to a political agreement.”

“The sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria must be respected.”

Conflict resolution must be achieved through peaceful dialogue and negotiation.

Agreements Washington makes aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. US supported death squads celebrated being named Syria’s representative.

Reports said they killed or injured up to 200 Syrian Alawite pro-Assad villagers. These type attacks happen regularly. Assad is blamed for US-backed death squad crimes. Obama’s now arming them more heavily to increase their kill rate.

Conditions are no better for beleaguered Palestinians. Israel waged war on them for decades. Daily crimes of war, against humanity, and slow-motion genocide continue.

Reports show the agony of an occupied people. World leaders able to help spurn them. Israel freely commits daily atrocities. It’s hard imagining how Palestinians endured so long. They’re a role model for other persecuted people to emulate.

On December 11 pre-dawn, Israeli soldiers invaded Ni’lin village near Ramallah. Two residents were shot. It followed statements made by Interior Minister Elie Yishai, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, and Kadima party head Shaul Mofaz.

They want Israeli soldiers to use live ammunition against anti-Separation Wall peaceful Palestinian protesters. Lieberman is an ultranationalist fascist. He’s an embarrassment to legitimate governance. He matches the worst of Netanyahu.

On December 11, he challenged Palestinian leaders outrageously. He threatened them with war if they sue Israel at the ICC.

He contemptuously calls Palestinians “demographic threats.” He wants them exiled to Jordan and other Arab countries. He endorses doing it forcibly.

On December 11, Israel’s Channel 7 reported a senior Israeli military commander saying the following:

Soldiers “operating in the field (have) the option to make the appropriate decision after evaluating the situation and the amount of danger (they) and (their) colleagues are facing, and that based on (their) personal evaluation, (they) can resort to the use of live ammunition.”

Virtually all Palestinian protests are nonviolent. The unnamed commander authorized shooting them in cold blood preemptively.

On December 11 pre-dawn, Israeli soldiers raided three West Bank human rights organizations. Affected groups included the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, the Palestinian NGO Network, and the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association.

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.